Swarms of jellyfish have inundated Istanbul’s strait due to pollution and wind, covering the waters near historical mansions. Aerial footage revealed the extent of the invasion, sparking concerns over marine pollution.

Zafer Murat Çetintaş, Secretary General of the Istanbul Environment Council, highlighted the link between jellyfish proliferation and pollution, stating, “Jellyfish thrive in dirty environments, feeding on baby fish or plankton in garbage. Their numbers are alarming.”

Çetintaş urged immediate action, warning against breaking jellyfish apart, as this accelerates their reproduction. He called on Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality to deploy garbage-collecting boats to remove jellyfish and prevent further pollution, which contributes to the formation of mucilage.

Ahmet Faruk Sarıkoç